In Moorestown, a resident is offering tennis instruction to children that provides not only tennis instruction, but mentoring for stronger and smarter students and, eventually, professionals. And ability to pay isn’t a factor.
Resident Bill Seward started a non-profit youth tennis program here in his hometown. Called Moorestown Youth Tennis, the program is designed to offer tennis and all of its benefits to children regardless of ability to pay. Seward’s goal is to provide tennis, academic and life-long skills to the youth of Moorestown.
“The goal of the program is to bring tennis to the youth in the area and provide them with high-quality tennis instruction, regardless of their ability to pay or regardless of the resources people have,” Seward said.
Moorestown Youth Tennis was started by Seward, who is a high-level tennis player and coach, having played on Moorestown boys’ all-group and being a party of the public school state championship team in 1981 under Coach Bill Kingston. By the end of his senior year, he was the team’s №1 singles player with a record of 26–1. He attended Division-I Furman University in South Carolina on a tennis scholarship, winning the Southern Conference singles and doubles in 1984. For the last 25 years, Seward has owned and operated a number of tennis facilities on the east coast, including 16 years directing Avalon Tennis Camps.
“With my broad background, I want to be able to help kids and use tennis to do that. If we give them a high level of instruction, there is a possibility they could play on their high school team, in tournaments or in college, which are positive aspects of someone’s life,” Seward said.
Moorestown Youth Tennis offers a combination of tennis instruction and play for all students. The program is offered for children from 5 to 13, split into two groups from children ages 5 to 7 and 8 to 13. All equipment is provided, including balls and racquets.
Sessions consist of 30 minutes of technique instruction followed by 30 minutes of structured play. Kids start playing right away so they can experience all the game has to offer. Moorestown Youth Tennis also offers bi-weekly video tennis tips to keep players engaged and constantly learning.
The ages 5 to 7 session offers instruction Tuesdays from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Saturdays from noon to 1 p.m. The ages 8 to 13 session offer instruction Wednesdays from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Sessions start on Sept. 7 and Sept. 9 and run for eight weeks. For the eight-week session, it is $199 for September through October. However, as Moorestown Youth Tennis is a non-profit, it offers financial assistance and scholarships to children on as-needed basis.
“Money can be a challenge a lot of the time, and I want to offer tennis to anyone interested and willing to gain the benefits from tennis,” Seward said.
Seward feels tennis can be used as a teaching tool for children, benefiting them both physically and mentally. He wants to use those two benefits to help build strong kids and eventually adults.
Some of the benefits Seward said students can gain from tennis can go toward future careers. They include problem solving, flexibility, hard work, self-motivating and passion. You need to be able to think strategically on how to defeat your opponent and be flexible in those situations. Also, tennis players try to be the best, work by themselves often and are passionate about what they do.
“I use those as the benefits. If we teach someone, we work with them on their game as well as mentor and teach them those strengths,” Seward said.
Seward would like to offer more than just tennis instruction, but academic instruction as well for a full afternoon of tennis and mentoring. From when school finishes to dinnertime, Seward would like to provide children with both so they can reap the full benefits both in tennis and in academics to carry on in their future.
“Tennis is a game you can play for the rest of your life, socially or competitively. It is unique to tennis versus team sports. And it is great for aging adults; tennis and table tennis is one of the best sports to work your brain and keep yourself sharp,” Seward said.
Moorestown Youth Tennis is a part of the non-profit National Tennis and Learning of New Jersey, which is a branch of the United States Tennis Association.
For more information, check out the website at moorestownyouthtennis.com or call Seward at (609) 318–6600.
